About Erika Erika's Favorite Things
Monday, October 8, 2007
Prewrite
1. What are you good at?
I think I'm good at swimming.
2. How do you feel when you're doing the thing you're good at?
I feel really great because I know I'm doing something I enjoy.
3. How would you feel if people wouldn't let you do the thing you're good at?
Bad because I enjoy it and I swim daily and if someone would to take it away,it would suck.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Chapter 1
1. What problems or conflicts are presented in chapter one? Tao needing to find a rabbit is an obvious one; identify at least two more.
(a)Tao sees the wolf that is weak and in need.
(b)Volt is a very mean guy that almost owns Tao because he always gives Tao orders.
2. Predict the resolution of each conflict.
(a)Tao helps the wolf by giving him food.
(b)Tao can run away from that camp.
Chapter 2
What two important events happen in this chapter?
Tao helped the wolf when the wolf was hungry.
Tao found the cave while he was hunting.
Chapter 3
1. What do Tao and Ram learn to do together?
They learn to hunt together.
2. What decision does Tao tell Volt?
Tao tells him that he's going to hunt on his own.
3. Look at Tao's decisions and actions from Volt's perspective. Pretend you are Volt. Write a first person paragraph explaining how you feel.
I feel angry because I'm the leader and he's not listening to me hen he's supposed to be listening not going his own
way he makes me so ANGRY!!!
Chapter 4
In a good paragraph, describe Tao's mother. Start with an interest grabber. Then write your topic sentence. Give three details or examples to support your thesis. Use a quotation from the chapter.
Moms are very important in life.Tao's mother was very brave and intellegent.She had to give up Tao when he was just born because she was too young to raise a child but she didn't want to give him up."Everyone loved the and she gave away freely."Tao's mom was very talented.She was a very good artist.
Chapter 5
1. Which two animals does Tao try to draw?
Tao drew a horse and a wolf dog.
2. Which is easier for him and why?
The wolf dog because he had the image in his head.
Chapter 6
1. Graybeard realizes that Tao has broken two taboos of his clan. What are they?
One of them is that Tao was hunting with the wolf
Another one is that he had to hunt in the forbidden lands.
2. Which taboo doesn't he know about yet?
Tao was painting in a cave.
3. Graybeard describes Volt differently than we have. What aspects of Volt's character is Graybeard acknowledging?
Greybeard is saying he's a good guy.
Chapter 7
Write your reaction to the last paragraph in the chapter. Do you agree or disagree with Graybeard? Is what he says true for those times, but not now? Or, is the reverse true: was it not true then, but true now?
I disagree because it's Tao's passion and he should be able to do it without anyone telling him it's wrong.It's true for times back then because if someone paints or draws now it's not a Taboo unless it's Graffiti.
Chapter 8
An important theme in this novel is that people should follow their dreams and do what they believe is right, even if they don't follow their society's expected ways.
The author examines this theme in a stone age setting. Imagine a similar situation today.
What situation did you imagine?
In the situation you imagined, should the person follow his or her dreams or should they follow society's rules? Give your opinion.
I believe women should be able to join the army if they choose. If they want to help and support the USA they should be able to.
Society believes women should stay home with their children,their family but if they want to help, they should be able to help.
Chapter 9
Why do you think Graybeard changed his mind?
Maybe Greybeard changed his mind because he thought that people should do what their minds set them to do and
follow their passions.
What does this tell you about his character?
He is nice, caring and not selfish.He thinks of whats best for other people not only for himself.
Chapter 10
1. What are the "mountains-that-walk"?
Mountains that walk are mammoths.
2. What almost happened to Tao?
Tao was about to die when he was around the mammoths.
Chapter 11
Do you think Graybeard is a good teacher? Why?
Yes because he knows what Tao is supposed to know.
Would you like to have been taught a skill by him? Why?
Yes because he knows how to teach and it's not boring.
Chapter 12
1. Name some of the ingredients used to make paint. Which surprised you most?
Red Earth, yellow clay, limestone powder, blood. Blood surprised me the most.
2. Why is Tao afraid at the end of the chapter?
Tao is afraid that Greybeard is going to die.
Chapter 13
1. Even if Ram had succeeded in hunting the deer, do you think it was a good idea of Tao's to "show off" his dog's ability to hunt? Explain.
No because wolf dog is an enemy and he could've died.
2. Predict what will happen next. If you've read ahead, invent an alternate scene.
Tao is going to realize that wolf dog is dangerous and Tao is going to hate wolf dog.
Chapter 14
1. Why does Tao cross the river?
He crosses the river because wolf dog is in the other side and he's worried.
2. What decision does Graybeard reach?
He decides to let Tao paint in the caves,be a cave painter.
Chapter 15
What problem does Tao have by the end of the chapter?
He's trying to paint for Greybeard before he arrives then he hears a hissing sound.
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Wow! What a chapter! What was your reaction? Tense? Surprised? You predicted it? Write a paragraph describing your reaction.
I can't believe Greybeard died!How sad!!It was especially surprising when I found out Volt was Tao's father!!I can't believe it!
Chapter 18
Why does Tao feel he needs to go to the Mountain People?
He wants to help and he thinks he needs to take Greybeard's place.
Erika's Favorite Things
Monday, October 8, 2007
Prewrite
1. What are you good at?
I think I'm good at swimming.
2. How do you feel when you're doing the thing you're good at?
I feel really great because I know I'm doing something I enjoy.
3. How would you feel if people wouldn't let you do the thing you're good at?
Bad because I enjoy it and I swim daily and if someone would to take it away,it would suck.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Chapter 1
1. What problems or conflicts are presented in chapter one? Tao needing to find a rabbit is an obvious one; identify at least two more.
(a)Tao sees the wolf that is weak and in need.
(b)Volt is a very mean guy that almost owns Tao because he always gives Tao orders.
2. Predict the resolution of each conflict.
(a)Tao helps the wolf by giving him food.
(b)Tao can run away from that camp.
Chapter 2
What two important events happen in this chapter?
- Tao helped the wolf when the wolf was hungry.
- Tao found the cave while he was hunting.
Chapter 31. What do Tao and Ram learn to do together?
They learn to hunt together.
2. What decision does Tao tell Volt?
Tao tells him that he's going to hunt on his own.
3. Look at Tao's decisions and actions from Volt's perspective. Pretend you are Volt. Write a first person paragraph explaining how you feel.
I feel angry because I'm the leader and he's not listening to me hen he's supposed to be listening not going his own
way he makes me so ANGRY!!!
Chapter 4
In a good paragraph, describe Tao's mother. Start with an interest grabber. Then write your topic sentence. Give three details or examples to support your thesis. Use a quotation from the chapter.
Moms are very important in life.Tao's mother was very brave and intellegent.She had to give up Tao when he was just born because she was too young to raise a child but she didn't want to give him up."Everyone loved the and she gave away freely."Tao's mom was very talented.She was a very good artist.
Chapter 5
1. Which two animals does Tao try to draw?
Tao drew a horse and a wolf dog.
2. Which is easier for him and why?
The wolf dog because he had the image in his head.
Chapter 6
1. Graybeard realizes that Tao has broken two taboos of his clan. What are they?
One of them is that Tao was hunting with the wolf
Another one is that he had to hunt in the forbidden lands.
2. Which taboo doesn't he know about yet?
Tao was painting in a cave.
3. Graybeard describes Volt differently than we have. What aspects of Volt's character is Graybeard acknowledging?
Greybeard is saying he's a good guy.
Chapter 7
Write your reaction to the last paragraph in the chapter. Do you agree or disagree with Graybeard? Is what he says true for those times, but not now? Or, is the reverse true: was it not true then, but true now?
I disagree because it's Tao's passion and he should be able to do it without anyone telling him it's wrong.It's true for times back then because if someone paints or draws now it's not a Taboo unless it's Graffiti.
Chapter 8
An important theme in this novel is that people should follow their dreams and do what they believe is right, even if they don't follow their society's expected ways.
The author examines this theme in a stone age setting. Imagine a similar situation today.
What situation did you imagine?
In the situation you imagined, should the person follow his or her dreams or should they follow society's rules? Give your opinion.
I believe women should be able to join the army if they choose. If they want to help and support the USA they should be able to.
Society believes women should stay home with their children,their family but if they want to help, they should be able to help.
Chapter 9
Why do you think Graybeard changed his mind?
Maybe Greybeard changed his mind because he thought that people should do what their minds set them to do and
follow their passions.
What does this tell you about his character?
He is nice, caring and not selfish.He thinks of whats best for other people not only for himself.
Chapter 10
1. What are the "mountains-that-walk"?
Mountains that walk are mammoths.
2. What almost happened to Tao?
Tao was about to die when he was around the mammoths.
Chapter 11
Do you think Graybeard is a good teacher? Why?
Yes because he knows what Tao is supposed to know.
Would you like to have been taught a skill by him? Why?
Yes because he knows how to teach and it's not boring.
Chapter 12
1. Name some of the ingredients used to make paint. Which surprised you most?
Red Earth, yellow clay, limestone powder, blood. Blood surprised me the most.
2. Why is Tao afraid at the end of the chapter?
Tao is afraid that Greybeard is going to die.
Chapter 13
1. Even if Ram had succeeded in hunting the deer, do you think it was a good idea of Tao's to "show off" his dog's ability to hunt? Explain.
No because wolf dog is an enemy and he could've died.
2. Predict what will happen next. If you've read ahead, invent an alternate scene.
Tao is going to realize that wolf dog is dangerous and Tao is going to hate wolf dog.
Chapter 14
1. Why does Tao cross the river?
He crosses the river because wolf dog is in the other side and he's worried.
2. What decision does Graybeard reach?
He decides to let Tao paint in the caves,be a cave painter.
Chapter 15
What problem does Tao have by the end of the chapter?
He's trying to paint for Greybeard before he arrives then he hears a hissing sound.
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Wow! What a chapter! What was your reaction? Tense? Surprised? You predicted it? Write a paragraph describing your reaction.
I can't believe Greybeard died!How sad!!It was especially surprising when I found out Volt was Tao's father!!I can't believe it!
Chapter 18
Why does Tao feel he needs to go to the Mountain People?
He wants to help and he thinks he needs to take Greybeard's place.